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Detroit's own Lisa Page Brooks was in the studio for over a year working on her new CD "Ready," that was release on June 4. It's the singer's first project since her 2009 CD "Strong" that featured her No. 1 smash "I Want to Say Thank You."The 13-song set was produced by Brooks' longtime producer/husband, Michael Brooks, a founding member of the famed '80s contemporary gospel group Commissioned, and it takes its title after Brooks' jazzy remake of one of the group's 1989 fan favorites. "If you consider the state of our nation as a whole, the question 'Will you be ready when Jesus comes?' is so befitting, and thought provoking," she said.The new album features several thought provoking moments. Brooks sings about destiny on the finger-snapping radio single "God Thing" and seeks a spiritual revolution on the acoustic "Heal the Land." There's a Caribbean vibe on "Empower Me" and a funky soulfulness on "The Wonder." She also offers her trademark "church-wrecking theatrics" on the inspiring ballad "Love Somebody Else" and the hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness."The velvety alto also creates a neo-soul aura on "Going Home" and brings passion to mid-tempo favorites "More," "I Love You" and "Triumph" (which features a vocal assist from Brooks' daughter, Tasha, who also did some of the backing vocal arrangements for the set). Brooks' son Justin also contributed by co-producing the soul-stirring ballad "Better Than Life," Brooks' first ever composition. "My son has his own style but he knows my style and made sure I was comfortable," she said.Brooks was a founding member of the Grammy Award nominated '80s quartet Witness that created contemporary gospel hits such as "Clap Your Hands" and "Standard." She launched a solo career in the late '90s and has enjoyed radio hits such as "God is Good," "Waiting" and "I Want to Say Thank You."For more information on Lisa Page Brooks visit www.habakkukmusic.com.

The exciting second generation of incredible gospel performance is about to arrive. The 2013 Inspiration Celebration® Gospel Tour is bringing the best of gospel, straight to the people in a free concert series. McDonald’s® invite you to join host Vickie Winans, as she ushers in Grammy winners Smokie Norful, and Lecrae, along with other award winning greats Tamela Mann and John P. Kee. See the entertainers who are serving the music that’s lifting up listeners and connecting the communities.

The Courville Concert Choir, one of Detroit's stellar youth choirs, were special guests at the 3rd Annual Youth Arts Fair, "Gifted, Talented and Under 21 Showcase," sponsored by the National Center for Children and Families in Washington, D.C., on Friday, June 7.The Youth Arts Fair was held at the Silver Spring Civic Center and Veteran's Plaza from 3 to 8 p.m. in the entertainment district of downtown Silver Springs, Md.The Courville Concert Choir performed from 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. The highlight of their show was "A Motown Medley."On Saturday morning, June 8, the choir performed as special guests at the JC Nalle Community School closing awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.After the awards ceremony, the choir spent the rest of the day sightseeing great historical landmarks in the nation's capital.On Sunday Morning, June 9, just before returning to Detroit, the Courville Concert Choir sang at the 7:45 a.m. service at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, DC.The Courville Concert Choir Summer Music Camp began on Monday, June 17, at Mason Elementary/Middle School and True Oracles of God Ministries.It is an eight week enrichment program, five days per week, five hours per day with Fun Fridays.For additional information, please call (313) 861-5405 or (313) 585-9585 or visit www.courvilleconcertchoir.org.

Erica Atkins-Campbell and Trecina "Tina" Atkins-Campbell, otherwise known as the gospel-singing duo Mary Mary, have expressed heartfelt thanks to fans for reaching out to them with prayers of support as they mourn the loss of their father, Eddie A. Atkins Jr., to cancer.

The Campbell sisters shared in a public message on Sunday:Erica and Tina Campbell (Mary Mary) would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to all who have reached out to them during this difficult time. The ladies have been overwhelmed by the love and support of their peers, colleagues, fans, and friends and want to share the below message with you:"Our dad was a powerful man. Our family had it's challenges but our love superseded it all. We had the opportunity to profess our love for our father. We were able to tell him how much we loved him, valued him, and how much life had helped us to understand the things that we couldn't for many years. Our dad was a man of immense physical and spiritual strength. He always covered us in prayer. He warned us when hardships were coming, taught us how to pray through, fight on, and overcome life's challenges. What better gift can a man give his family. Our family prayed and thanked God for our dad's life and healing on Monday night and God chose to give him the ultimate healing on Tuesday afternoon, which was a transfer from life on earth to life in Heaven. God sent him out better than we ever could've imagine and for that, we will be forever grateful. We love our daddy dearly, respect him highly, and will remember him always."- Tina and Erica Campbell.The award-winning singers publicly acknowledged their father's death last week after it was revealed that Atkins Jr. had died on Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Los Angeles. Tina and Erica Campbell shared last Wednesday that their father was "with Jesus now" and credited him with teaching them how "to pray (and) trust God."

Atkins Jr., who had married and divorced the sisters' mother, Thomasina "Honey" Atkins, three times, had appeared on their reality television show on Wetv. He has been described as "a community leader (and) youth minister" and credited with laying the foundation for Erica and Tina Campbell's "broad reaching musical platform that allows them to deliver their brand of gospel music not just to the church but to the masses regardless of their walk of life (and) spiritual understanding."

As part of the legendary Clark family musical dynasty, Larry Clark knows the music industry inside out. He does it all — produce, write, arrange and sing. He has all of the connections needed to make things happen. But when it came to identifying assistance to grow his bussiness, he was at a loss.

As a participant in the ProsperUS Detroit program, Clark learned the technical aspects of operating a record company. As a businessman, he holds steadfast to his Christian principles which are encompassed in every aspect of the business.

“I have walked a way from opportunities that may have caused me to compromise those beliefs,’’ he said.

So how does a music producer become a record label owner?

While shopping, his Aunt Elbernita “Twinkie’’ Clark’s albums to record labels, he realized that there was a gap in the market. He decided to start his own independent label featuring some of the best of gospel music around. Initial obstacles included being “the“new kid on the block.’’ He used his presistence to break down those barriers. He says, “The Internet saved my life.’’ Clark used non-conventional avenues such as the Internet to sell albums. He had sales without being on the radio! The label’s inaugural release of Twinkie Clark’s “With Humility’’ album boasted a Top 30 single and a 2012 Stellar Gospel Music Award nomination.

More than learning about operation his business, Clark is now aware of the numerous resources available to aspiring and current entrepreneurs. His passion is evident to everyone he meets.

When asked what his long-term vision for the business is, he simply states, “That’s easy. Continue to make life-changing music.’’

Greater Burnette Baptist Church celebrated the retirement of their beloved sister in Christ, Louise Guyton. On March 8, Guyton retired from Comerica Bank after serving 44 years as the vice president of public affairs.

In honor of her retirement, Greater Burnette celebrated Guyton for being a blessing to them by given her a musical celebration with Evelyn Turrentine- Agee, Larry Callahan & Selected of God, Quentella Caldwell along with a host of pastors and politicians. The program closed out with Dr. Dorinda Clark-Cole singing a stirring tribute titled “I’m Still Here” and “He Brought Me.” Pastor Nathan Caldwell, senior pastor of Greater Burnette Baptist Church, surprised her by dedicating their new library in her honor.

“Detroit will never be able to find another Louise Guyton,” said Bishop Edgar Vann, Second Ebenezer Church. “Some of the church programs are still in existence because of her.”

A faithful servant and longtime member of the Greater Burnette Baptist, Guyton is most deserving of the recognition. She has served as the church’s chairman of the Trustee Board for 24 years. She is also the executive administrator to the pastor and leadership instructor and a member of the scholarship committee.

Although she is retired from Comerica Bank, Louise Guyton is not planning to sit at home, idly watching the world go by. In addition to various boards that she serves on, she will continue the work of her foundation, The Greater Works Foundation. Its mission is to create positive community change through collaborative efforts by focusing on transforming neighborhoods and strengthening individuals and families.